New Challenge: Bollywood
This month's challenge offers songs, films, and tropes from Bollywood, the world's largest film industry based out of India, as prompts for fanworks.
SWG News
Cultus Dispatches: Fandom Chocolate … or Authors Love Comments
Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data provides insight into how comments benefit authors and which authors are most impacted by a lack of comments, with a digression on authors' perspectives one-click feedback like kudos.
A Sense of History: Passing Ships
As Tolkien's characters in various texts gaze out to the sea, what do they see? What is brought by the ships coming out of the West?
Beta-Reader List Now Available
The beta-reader list and profiles have been moved into our new system and are available again.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] An exercise in music... And patience by Aprilertuile
Makalaurë was sitting at the harp in his music room. He was holding a dark blindfold in his hands and was looking at it with much scepticism.
[Writing] No Time Have I by Flora-lass
A Silmarillion acrostic.
[Writing] I called it Fate that I should fail by AdmirableMonster
Nimruzimir, a natural philosopher recently out of his apprenticeship, hardly considers himself very important to anyone, least of all his colleagues. When his strange, prophetic fits bring him to the attention of the High Priest, however, he may find that his existence is less superfluous than…
[Writing] All of you by chrissystriped
Elrond and Celebrían celebrate their anniversary with their family.
[Writing] Lament for the Singer by daughterofshadows
A short thing about Maglor, death and grieving.
[Writing] Cosmological Poems of Arda by AaronAzrael
I would like to share my revelations of Tolkien's Universe in the form of narrative and emotional poems.
[Writing] Eä's Redemption by AaronAzrael
This is my new poetical attempt to add my own interpretation to Tolkien's Cosmology as to Eru's Creation and the Valar's minds and behind-the-scene providence reasons and mechanisms.. I often review Eä as part of our own world, just in another dimension, this is why I have always seriously…
Current Challenge
Bollywood
Prompts this month are films, songs, and tropes from India's dazzling film industry, Bollywood. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Laws and Customs
Place the a law, custom, or tradition of Middle-earth as the focus of a fanwork. Read more ...
New in References
Fandom Chocolate … or Authors Love Comments by Dawn Walls-Thumma
[]Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data shows that authors view comments as driving their motivation to create fanfiction. However, perception of comments by authors is part of a larger shift in fandom around how and how often fans interact with each other.
Passing Ships by Simon J. Cook
[]The arrival and departure of ships across the Great Sea carries mythic significance for the peoples of Middle-earth. The image of ships crossing out of and back into a mysterious West appears as well in Beowulf and is alluded to in Tolkien's tower analogy in his lecture "Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics," where the tower allows those who climb it to observe the passage of the ships.
Fanfiction and the Serious Business of Writer's Craft by Dawn Walls-Thumma
[]Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data shows that while most authors self-identify as taking their craft seriously, a growing subset of authors may be pushing that norm.
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Writing] Staging a Battle by StarSpray
[]He and Diamond were visiting, though Pippin had been disappearing every afternoon, and taking Frodo and Elanor and most other lads and lasses in the neighborhood with him—though why they couldn’t use Pippin’s own pony, Sam couldn’t imagine.
[Writing] From whose bourn no traveller returns by losselen
[]So gathered they were to Bree, what lieutenants who could be spared, from their scattered watches west and east, for their chieftain had returned from his long sojourn in lands godless and mountains strange.
Aragorn returns from the South to tells his tales. Halbarad listens.
[Writing] Sand Sorcery by StarSpray
[]It is well known that Psamathos does not leave his cove. He does not like to get his feet wet, and prefers to spend his days dozing under the sun.
Around the World and Web
Fellowship of the Fics: Summer Stories 2024
Fellowship of the Fics offers four weeks of summer-themed prompts during the month of July.
Elrond Week 2024
Elrond Week is a fandom event dedicated to Elrond Peredhel that will run from July 10th to July 16th on Tumblr.
July challenge at tolkienshortfanworks posted
The tolkienshortfanworks challenge for July has been posted to the Dreamwidth community. The thematic challenge is: original character or unnamed canon character; the formal challenge: fixed length of multiple of 50 words. New participants welcome.
July 2024 Call for Papers and Proposals
Conferences and publications that have open calls for papers and proposals in July 2024.
Teitho June/July Challenge: Mentor
The June/July prompt for the Teitho challenge is "mentor" and invites fanworks about this relationship in Tolkien's works.
New and Updated Fanworks
Include Beyond the Silmarillion Fanworks
Fall by Ginger
Tears come out from your eyes. The flame that once so brightly burned in them is now flickering. Soon, it will fade away. You are going to die, Tyelperinquar... or the last instants of the life of Celebrimbor. Translation.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 77 |
| Posted on 23 May 2016 | Updated on 23 May 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Light-weaver by Zdenka
Someday, she will devour the light-weaver.
| Major Characters: Melian, Ungoliant |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 53 |
| Posted on 22 May 2016 | Updated on 22 May 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
More Than One Hundred Words About Maedhros by Himring
Short pieces that are not true drabbles and are part of my Maedhros series.
Now added: Fingon Toasts the Stars (free verse)
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Wish upon a Star |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 11 | Word Count: 1, 997 |
| Posted on 7 May 2012 | Updated on 22 May 2016 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (16) |
Songs of Sun and Shadow by Zdenka
Melian asks Finrod, on a visit to Menegroth, to test the abilities of her young student in songs of power.
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund, Melian, Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 88 |
| Posted on 20 May 2016 | Updated on 20 May 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Nike Adjusting Her Sandal by heget
I was asked from a tumblr prompt about head-canons for various traits about Nerdanel and/or Indis, and the answer evolved into a vaguely romantic character study, though can be read as close friendship between two wise and creative ladies.
| Major Characters: Findis, Indis, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 50 |
| Posted on 19 May 2016 | Updated on 19 May 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
River-Mother and River-Daughter by Zdenka
Before the Sun or Moon rose, the River-mother sang to the waters and they awoke.
| Major Characters: Goldberry, Melian, Tom Bombadil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 92 |
| Posted on 19 May 2016 | Updated on 19 May 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Green Eggs and Silmarils by Zdenka
A silly retelling of the Silmarillion in the style of Dr. Seuss.
| Major Characters: Eärendil, Fëanor, Melkor, Valar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Humor, Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 73 |
| Posted on 18 May 2016 | Updated on 18 May 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Responsibility by Elwing
Elwing and Melian meet in Valinor.
| Major Characters: Elwing |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 39 |
| Posted on 17 May 2016 | Updated on 17 May 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Memories of sorrows past by Elwing
The Unfinished Tales mention that Celeborn and Galadriel live in Rivendell some time in the second age. Elrond wonders why they have come.
| Major Characters: Elrond |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 103 |
| Posted on 15 May 2016 | Updated on 15 May 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
By the Rivers of Beleriand by Zdenka
As the end of their journey nears, Rían remembers Dorthonion.
| Major Characters: Morwen, Rían |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 144 |
| Posted on 15 May 2016 | Updated on 15 May 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Paths of Exile by Zdenka
Moments on a Fëanorian’s journey, from the Oath to the fall of Ost-in-Edhil. (A sequence of six drabbles.)
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 92 |
| Posted on 6 May 2016 | Updated on 6 May 2016 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Messengers of Celegorm by Zdenka
After Lúthien’s capture by Celegorm, the Silmarillion says “Celegorm sent messengers to Thingol urging his suit” and “Thingol was wrathful” (understandably!). But what happened to the messengers? (A sequence of eight drabbles.)
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 46 |
| Posted on 6 May 2016 | Updated on 6 May 2016 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Catch the Waves by Zdenka
Celebrimbor, his family, and unfixable problems. (Triple drabble.)
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 118 |
| Posted on 6 May 2016 | Updated on 6 May 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Voice Like the Sea by Zdenka
Elrond remembers an old song.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2012 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 123 |
| Posted on 6 May 2016 | Updated on 6 May 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
the heart's filthy lesson by Agelast
Celebrimbor learns a painful lesson in love.
Written for Smut Swap 2016.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Curufin, Orodreth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Erotica, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 200 |
| Posted on 4 May 2016 | Updated on 4 May 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Blood, Song, & Silver by MisbehavingMaiar
Celebrimbor, Lord of Eregion recieves an emissary from the West claiming to be a Vanya smith. The teachings he comes bearing are controversial; how to imprint thoughts and wills into matter using Song, and words of power. As the emissary gains support with king and court, their relationship becomes entangled with secrets and the weight of the past.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Círdan, Galadriel, Gil-galad, Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Erotica | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Torture, Character Death, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 216 |
| Posted on 3 May 2016 | Updated on 3 May 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
smile, for your lover comes by Agelast
Prodigal, you have given me love – therefore I to you give love!
O unspeakable passionate love.
Maedhros navigates new realities -- with the help of Fingon and Maglor.
Written for Smut Swap 2016.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Incest, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 626 |
| Posted on 1 May 2016 | Updated on 1 May 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Lake Helevorn: A Summer Romance by Himring
Uncanonical take on Caranthir's canonical wife: in my 'verse she is not an elf.
(No, not Haleth--and not a dwarf either, although I like that version.)
| Major Characters: Caranthir |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 616 |
| Posted on 1 May 2016 | Updated on 1 May 2016 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
In the Last Hour by Zdenka
What the Queen does and leaves undone, the day before the Downfall of Númenor. The Armada sets sail, and Míriel waits for the shape of their doom to reveal itself.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Sauron, Tar-Míriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: B2MeM 2011, B2MeM 2013 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 133 |
| Posted on 29 April 2016 | Updated on 29 April 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Killed With Kindness by Zdenka
A notorious future queen advances her plans. (Drabble. Written in 2012.)
| Major Characters: Berúthiel, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: B2MeM 2012 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 96 |
| Posted on 28 April 2016 | Updated on 28 April 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Last Maker by Ecthelion
In the end, the master of lies made the mistake of underestimating him.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Curufin, Galadriel, Gil-galad, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 4, 689 |
| Posted on 26 April 2016 | Updated on 28 April 2016 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The West Wind Quartet by Himring
Emlinn, a Sinda, becomes Maglor's student and experiences the end of the Siege of Angband and the Battle of Sudden Flame.
Now added: Bonus chapter: Like a Friendly Touch Among the Crowd (ft. Elrond).
Illustrated by Alasse for B2MeM 2012: see link at end of Chapter Two!
Kindly nominated for MEFAs 2011 by Angelica. It won a Honorable Mention in the category "Elves: House of Finwë" and a Smaug's Treasure award.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Erestor, Glaurung, Maedhros, Maglor, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 16, 871 |
| Posted on 22 August 2010 | Updated on 24 April 2016 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Foe and Friend by Zdenka
In Ar-Pharazôn's palace on Númenor, Isildur's wife encounters peril, temptation, and unlooked-for help. (Written in 2011.)
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Sauron, Tar-Míriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 47 |
| Posted on 21 April 2016 | Updated on 21 April 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
On the Wings of Storm by Zdenka
A woman of Númenor on the sea, in doubt and hope: Isildur's wife after the Downfall. (Written in 2011.)
| Major Characters: Amandil, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 70 |
| Posted on 21 April 2016 | Updated on 21 April 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
There Will Your Heart Be Also by Zdenka
In Númenor before the Downfall, Isildur watches over his treasure. (Written in 2011.)
| Major Characters: Isildur |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 68 |
| Posted on 21 April 2016 | Updated on 21 April 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
